Kara Ross And Donald Robertson Unveil A Cheeky Handbag Collab

Putting two outlandish and beyond entertaining personalities in one room is recipe for a lot of fun. So what happens when two people matching that description partner up with the intent to create a collaboration? It’s double the fun, as proven by bauble designer Kara Ross and artist Donald Robertson, otherwise known as @DonaldDrawbertson. Your Daily chatted with the playful duo about everything from Whole Food bags to luxe purses. So, join in on the fun…

How did you two join creative forces?Kara Ross: It evolved over Instagram. I was following Donald and I love his work. I reached out to Lisa Perry, who I knew was friends with him. She introduced us via email and we really hit it off.Donald Robertson: I actually tested Kara to see if she was actually cool. I posted a pair of ice earrings that I made out of ice cubes and I wrote “Ice, ice baby by Kara Ross.” She regrammed it, so I knew we were cool!

So what’s the collaboration all about?K.R.: It’s about the juxtaposition of high and low. The bottom line is that it’s art; whether it’s one of these fabulous handmade bags in New York or a piece of jewelry, it’s all wearable art. It’s luxury, it’s one of a kind, it’s unique, and to me that signifies luxury.

What piece in the collection do you expect to be the best seller?D.R.: Everybody wanted this Whole Foods bag, but it wouldn’t survive rain or a commute. So Kara had a faux Whole Foods bag made in fine leather, and it matched identically to the paper bag! I love that it’s backwards!K.R.: There’s also a python and a waxed canvas version.

Speaking of Whole Foods, what does your grocery list look like?D.R.: I have five kids so you can just imagine. Then I have a wife who’s full-on organic. Vivienne Westwood just got in a lot of trouble because she said, “Organic food is more expensive. Just eat less.” And that’s exactly what I want to tell my kids. But I can’t!

What’s your current pop culture obsession?D.R.: I’m obsessed with anybody who’s a musician who’s transitioning out into fashion. Like I’m ready to explode because Pharrell and Cara Delevingne are in some kind of a new Chanel video that I just saw on Instagram.K.R.: My kids and I have seen every single episode of Game of Thrones. I love the rock star, super tall, beautiful blonde, Gwendoline Christie. I want to do the jewelry for that show! Khaleesi wears great jewelry.

Do you have any Instagram tips for aspiring social media stars?D.R.: The best thing about Instagram is you can suck-up to anybody in the world and it pays off! Compliment people you want to work with and compliment people that you want to buy your stuff, if you’re selling stuff. It works!K.R.: I also think it’s about keeping it real and not having your feed be too product focused. For example, I take pictures of jewelry with the actual rocks that we started with and people really respond to that. People like to see the process.

Donald, what’s your favorite object to paint?D.R.: I would say lips are my Campbell’s Soup Can. And boobs! I really like painting boobs and they’re selling out like crazy! I’m just waiting and wondering who’s gonna knock me off first. You know someone is gonna come out with a boobie bag soon!

What’s been the best part about this collaboration?K.R.: I love waking up in the morning, because Donald gets up earlier than I do, and I scroll through what he’s already posted. I really look forward to that!D.R.: I like collaborations where you have no meetings.Reporting by Kelsey McMullin

About Us

Since its inception in 2003, The Daily Front Row and fashionweekdaily.com have been speaking directly to fashion's A-list insiders wherever they are—the front rows and runways of Fashion Week, the backyards of their Hamptons summer homes, their New York abodes, and their chicest travel destinations. The Daily is the only multichannel media brand that legitimately influences the influencers, 365 days a year. Experts agree: “You haven’t really made it in fashion until you’ve made it into The Daily!”